A formal fact finding by the court to determines a juveniles innocence or guilt of crimes alleged in a petition.

ALLEGATION

CHILD

A single charge on a police report

A person under 18 years of age within the jurisdiction of the juvenile court as provided in ORS 419B.100; a dependent person.

COMMUNITY SERVICE

Unpaid work as a consequence to repay the community for inappropriate behavior.

CONDITIONAL RELEASE

An agreement between a juvenile and juvenile department to be released from detention on certain conditions pending a hearing

DELINQUENT

A juvenile who has been adjudicated for committing a delinquent act

DELINQUENT CONDUCT

Any behavior by a juvenile which would be considered a crime if committed by an adult. This includes any violation of local, state or federal law or ordinance. Failure to obey a lawful order of the juvenile court is also delinquent conduct.

DEPENDENT

An abused or neglected child, or a child in need of proper parental care and control who has no parent or guardian willing and able to exercise care and control.

DETENTION

The temporary care of a juvenile who requires secure custody in a locked facility for the protection of the community and/or juvenile, or to ensure that the juvenile appears in court..

DISMISSAL

The cessation of court proceedings through voiding the filed petition.

DISPOSITION

A formal judgment of the juvenile court in electing what to do after the juvenile has been adjudicated (the judicial finding that a juvenile is delinquent or dependent).

DIVERSION

An option for handling a case outside the jurisdiction and services of the Juvenile Court.

ELECTRONIC SURVEILLANCE

An event where a small monitoring device is attached to a juvenile’s ankle that generates a daily computer report of the youth’s whereabouts via telephone lines or satellite.

FORMAL ACCOUNTABILITY AGREEMENT

A voluntary agreement between a juvenile and juvenile department whereby the juvenile agrees to fulfill certain conditions in exchange for not having a petition filed against them.

JJIS

Juvenile Justice Information System – electronic data system co-managed by the Oregon Youth Authority and county juvenile departments of Oregon

JURISDICTION

Parental authority of a juvenile or child assumed by the court based on adjudication or dependency needs.

JURISDICTION ONLY

Authority assumed by the court on violations. There is no incarceration time associated with this status.

JUVENILE

(1) A person under the age of 18, particularly one alleged to have committed an act that is a violation, or that if done by an adult would constitute a violation, of a law or ordinance of the United States or of a state, county or city. (2) Counts as a case in reports

OREGON YOUTH AUTHORITY

The state agency responsible for management and administration of youth correctional facilities, state youth parole and probation services and community out-of-home placements for adjudicated youth offenders.

PETITION

Formal allegation(s) of dependency or acts of delinquency filed with the clerk of the juvenile court to begin the formal adjudication process.

POLYGRAPH

A lie-detector test.

PROBATION

A disposition by the juvenile court whereby the juvenile is placed under the supervision of a probation officer who oversees the compliance with court ordered conditions, The juvenile remains in the community instead of being incarcerated.

PROBATION OFFICER

A Juvenile Department employee with the authority of a peace officer while performing his court-related duties. These duties include evaluating juvenile complaints (arrests) to decide whether to request filing of a petition, supervising juveniles, and monitoring compliance with conditions of probation or formal accountability agreements.

RESTITUTION

Full, partial or nominal payment of monetary damages to a victim; can be court-ordered or agreed upon between parties.

REFERRAL

A written complaint by law enforcement official detailing the arrest of a juvenile for an alleged violation of the law or commission of a status offense. A referral may have multiple reasons.

RISK FACTORS

Elements that increase the likelihood of delinquency or other problematic adolescent behavior.

STATUS OFFENDER

A youth who commits an act that is an offense solely by virtue of his age.

A person at least 12 and under 18 years of age found to be within the jurisdiction of the juvenile court under ORS 419C.005; a delinquent person.

YOUTH SERVICES TEAM

A group of service providers meeting jointly to discuss information about youth and families and determine the most appropriate prevention/intervention strategy for a youth and family. May include mental health counselors, alcohol and drug services providers, school counselors and juvenile department staff.